Senti dads, goofy dads
Breathes there a father with soul so dead that he cannot experience sentimental moments? Or with soul so dreary he cannot have room for mirth?
We found seven good men who can be senti dads and goofy dads too, to tell—not daddy jokes—but serious thoughts and the legacy they want to leave their kids.
Dingdong Dantes is an award-winning actor, director, and TV host for Family Feud. For sure, family feuds are unheard of in his family, with a loving wife Marian Rivera beside him.
Hayden Kho is a dermatologist and entrepreneur, always a supportive husband to his beloved Vicki and the Belo Medical Group.
Saul Hofilena, Jr. is a lawyer and historian who is too modest to say he is also an art collector and an author of several noteworthy books. His son Daniel is a law professor.
Joseph Tay, president of Casa Bella Home & Living, is a renowned entrepreneur and loving partner to Stephanie Coyiuto-Tay, whose work ethic and passions he shares.
Ramon Orlina is the famous glass sculptor who also collects vintage cars and runs a museum in Batangas.
Ian Norman Dato is Undersecretary of the Department of Justice, a position he previously held in 2010.
Kim Atienza, better known as “Kuya Kim”, is a TV personality who used to be a Manila politician.
Dingdong Dantes
Father of Zia and Sixto
Without a doubt, the most touching moment of my life as a father was the birth of my first child.
I was inside the delivery room, witnessing one of the most profound and sacred moments a person could ever experience.
Being who I am, I came prepared with cameras and equipment, ready to document every second. But just moments before my daughter entered the world, I made a decision I will never regret: I turned everything off.
I realized that some moments are simply too precious to experience through a lens.
So I stood there with nothing but my own eyes, my heart, and a spirit overwhelmed by gratitude and wonder. I watched new life unfold before me. In that instant, I felt a surge of hope unlike anything I had ever known… a hope that the future could be brighter, that goodness could continue through the next generation, and that life itself is one of God’s greatest miracles.
It was the moment I understood that life is not something we own, but something entrusted to us. And somehow, despite all my imperfections, God had chosen me to be the steward, guide, and protector of this beautiful little person.
No photograph could ever fully capture what I felt that day. But the memory remains etched in my heart, as vivid and magical as when it first happened. It was the day I became a father, and with it came a renewed sense of purpose, gratitude, and hope.
The goofiest moment would probably be during one of my daughter’s Halloween parties at home. The kids were expecting a mascot, but for some reason, it never arrived.
So to save the day, I put on an old Batman costume I had and became the mascot myself. Of course, I couldn’t just wear the costume. I had to commit to the role completely, complete with the voice, the entrances, and all the theatrics.
The kids loved it, and thankfully, nobody seemed to mind that Batman was a little older than expected. Looking back, it was one of those moments that reminded me that sometimes being a dad means being willing to look silly just to keep the magic alive.
If there is a legacy I hope to leave my children, it is not something material, nor something that can be measured by wealth, titles, or possessions.
The first is a truth that was passed on to me by my own father and one that has stayed with me throughout my life: “Good things and bad, life and death, poverty and wealth, come from the Lord.” — Sirach 11:14
To me, this verse is a reminder that life will never be made up only of victories. There will be seasons of abundance and seasons of difficulty. There will be moments of joy, as well as moments that test our faith and character. But through it all, I hope my children learn to remain grateful, humble, and grounded, knowing that every blessing is a gift and every challenge carries a lesson. Life is not about controlling every outcome, but about trusting God through all of it.
The second legacy I hope to leave them is the value of kindness.
I want them to know that it is perfectly okay to strive for excellence. It is okay to dream big, work hard, and become the best at what they do. In fact, I hope they do. But no achievement, award, or accomplishment will ever be more important than how they treat other people.
I’ve always believed that character outlasts talent. Skills can open doors, but kindness, humility, respect, and a good attitude are what make people want to keep those doors open. In any workplace, I would choose someone with the right attitude and a genuine heart over pure talent any day.
If my children grow up to be successful, I will be proud. But if they grow up to be kind, compassionate, humble, and respectful human beings, then I will know that I have truly succeeded as a father.
Kim Atienza
Father of Jose, Eliana, and Emman
Touching moments with my kids? With Jose, his first solo flight as a pilot when he was only 16. With Eliana, when she graduated summa cum laude from University of Pennsylvania just recently. She also received the social justice award for her campus activism. With Emman, when she walked the red carpet with me in the GMA ball for the first time. She was so radiant and so beautiful.
Goofiest? They made me try virtual reality glasses for the first time. I didn’t know what to expect; turns out it was a horror game. I was shrieking and screaming like a little boy, it was on video and my kids posted it online.
Legacy? I want them to leave a mark in this world. “Be the best in your own field but to be kind to everyone, big or small,” I always tell my kids.
Saul Hofilena, Jr.
Father of Daniel
My most touching moments as a father? When we painted together because when I am gone, he could hang our paintings side by side and remember our happy times together.
I would say the goofiest would be when he was navigating the streets of Japan with us using his memories of the video games he played when he was young.
I want my son to always be kind to the poor and to those around him and that he should stay away from people who take advantage of others.
Joseph Tay
Father of Jet, Seji, and Teo
Touching moment? My eldest son, Jet, organized a tennis tournament and intentionally scheduled it on the same day as his mom’s birthday to make it even more meaningful for our family. While we were working through the logistics together, he told me that one reason he loves tennis is because it’s also the sport I love—and that it’s something we’ll always be able to share and talk about together. It reminded me how the simple things we enjoy with our children can quietly become lifelong bonds.
Goofy moment? My boys are generally very thoughtful and considerate—except when really good food is involved. Then it suddenly becomes every man (or kid) for himself. One time at a nice restaurant, my wife was eating much slower than the rest of us, and the boys were not so subtly trying to get her share. I actually had to use my own fork to block theirs and defend her share of the food before it disappeared completely!
My legacy to my kids? As life becomes more challenging, I want my boys to understand that while working hard and striving to succeed are important, they are not the only things that matter. Living joyfully, protecting your peace, nurturing relationships, and pursuing the things that genuinely make you happy are all equally important. If there’s one legacy I hope to leave them, it’s the mindset to build meaningful lives—not just successful ones—and the wisdom to find that balance.
Hayden Kho
Father of Scarlet Snow
Moments that touch me? It’s the little things. I love it when we’re walking, and she instinctively grabs my hand. I cherish those moments because I know they won’t last forever, and they remind me how fast she grows up.
The goofiest? Definitely our morning wake-up routine. Instead of just telling her to get up, I usually attack her with tickles and raspberry kisses on her belly. It’s become our fun little tradition before school.
My legacy? More than anything, I want Scarlet to have a strong foundation of faith and biblical values. Success comes and goes, but character stays with you for life, and hopefully gets passed on to the next generation, too.
Ramon Orlina
Father of Naesa, Ning Ning, Anna, and Michael
Because I married late, there is a generational gap between us that I try to bridge the only way I know how, by trying to keep up with their world, their passions, and their times. Far from being a disadvantage, it has kept me young at heart, and ever grateful for what they teach me in return, especially on techy stuff.
Of all the moments that have touched my heart, I think one stands above the rest. In 2017, my eldest, Naesa, married RJ Miso. During the father-daughter dance, I wept, not from sadness, not from loss, but from a joy so complete. I was already, in my heart, anticipating my grandchildren. Two apos later, I am ecstatic.
Then there is New Year’s Eve, a tradition that has become sacred to our family. And the moment for me to act my goofiest without being judged! From the fifth-floor deck of my workshop, we enjoy the entire metropolis lighting up around us with screams of delight. We prepare days ahead, shopping for fireworks, readying our noisemakers. And at the stroke of midnight, I go a little crazy—dancing, embracing, blowing my noisemaker as I welcome the New Year with my wife and children. Grateful for the year that has passed and excited for what God has in store for us.
The legacy I hope to leave behind is this: a deep and abiding faith in God and devotion to Mama Mary, because these have been the anchors of my life. A generous and charitable spirit, because I believe a life of giving is the only life truly worth living. And the values my own parents instilled in me of hard work, honesty and integrity, not merely as lessons, but as a way of life. Above all, I want my children to live with meaning and purpose, and to pursue their dreams without fear.
For my children who are also artists, I leave one thing more: my life’s work in glass, a medium of sculpture I have poured myself into, and devoted myself to elevating in our country. May it stand as a reminder that their father believed, with everything he had, in the power of creating something lasting and beautiful—just as they are to me.
DOJ Atty. Ian Norman Dato
Father of Gianna and Vivi
I remember this sentimental moment. I always rehearse my speeches before my children. One time, I told Gianna that I needed more time to make a speech better. She looked at me and said, “But you’re already good, Papa!” Nothing beats validation from the innocent heart of a child— especially from your own daughter.
Goofy moment? Dancing to a medley of pop songs at Gianna’s and Vivi’s school—everything from Shakira and Taylor Swift to One Direction, Usher, and more. It meant dancing three times in one event: once with Gianna, once with Vivi, and then again with all the fathers. As someone with two left feet, it was unforgettable!
I hope my wife Giorgia and I are able to teach them to always make good choices, guided by discernment, unshakable self-confidence, and complete faith in and dependence on God.
